This week, the indigenous people of Australia commemorate
the 500 year anniversary of the arrival of Columbus in
the Americas (el quintocentenario) in solidarity with the
indigenous peoples of North and Latin America.
The Australian aboriginal peoples have suffered 205 years
of murder, destruction and repression.
In Melbourne yesterday, in an evocative ceremony, members
of the Yarra Yarra tribe welcomed Domingo Colicoi, a
Mapuche representative from the All Lands Council in Chile.
With traditional dances, songs and instruments, including
digeridoos, they welcomed him to their land, and bade him
safe conduct during his visit.
Moved, Domingo Colicoi thanked them in spanish, and in
song in the Mapuche language, offering them strength and
courage in their continued struggle. ("la lucha sigue").
These Koori people (Koori are the aboriginal peoples from
the Southern half of Australia) said they looked to the 500
years of survival and resistance of the Mapuche for
inspiration.
Humanity must recognize the philosphies of indigenous
cultures in order to not live in contradiction with the
Earth's environment.
Land, Earth, Air, People and Ocean are as one.
Indigenous people only wish to left free to continue living
the way they wish to live.
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The Melbourne committee for the 500 years of indigenous,
black and popular resistance,
El comite 500 anos de resistencia indigena, negra, y popular,
has organized many events this week.
The activities began on Sunday, with an entire day of
programming on "the 500 years" on Melbourne's popular
community radio station, 3CR.
Held simultaneously, was a successful radiothon to raise
money for a symbolic Australian "Ship to Cuba", to be
loaded with wheat and other donations.
Today, October 12, there was a rally in Melbourne's City
Square, with aboriginal speakers and poets from both our
continents.
At events every day this week, Koori and Murri musicians,
dancers, writers and poets are performing beside Latin
Americans. (Murri are peoples from Northern Australia).
There is a writer's tour, a ceramic installation, a
patchwork quilt, a theatre program and a speaking program...
too many events to mention here.
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We, as indigenous and non-indigenous people of Australia
send this message, on October 12, 1992, as a message of
solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world
who are commemorating this day as both the beginning of a
tragic history of events in the Americas, a history which
continues to this day, and the beginning of a struggle
against oppressors, which also continues to this day.
We repeat the words of the proud Mapuche, Domingo Colicoi,
at today's rally:
"Be aware of your culture."
"La Lucha Sigue."
"Be with the land."
abrazos from members of
The Latin American Information Centre,
Melbourne, Australia email: laic@peg.apc.org